Bandage.



Patented Sept. 23, I902.

c. .1. mas ms.

B A N D A E E.

(Application filed Apr. 9, 1902. i

(No Model.)

THE "cams PETERS cu wnoToumu, WASHINGTON. a. Q

lhviTnn STATns PATENT @rrrca CLARA JANE HIGGINSpOF VVANATAH, INDIANA.

BAN DAG E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Ne. 709,767, dated September 23, 1902.

Application filed April 9, 1902. Serial No. 102,117. (No model.)

To (l/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLARA JANE Hruenvs, a citizen of the United States, residing at W anatah, in the, county of Laporte and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Bandage, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in bandages, and particularly to band ages of that class employed for the protection of the end of the umbilical cord immediately after parturition, and has for its principal object to provide an improved form of bandage for the reception and protection of the end of the cord with a View of preventing excoriation and premature sloughing.

A further object is to so arrange and construct a bandage of this character that it may be opened at any time to examine the condition of the umbilical cord or for the application of a medicament.

A still further object of the invention is to render the bandage independent of the usual abdominal band, so that the latter may be removed when soiled without disturbing the umbilical bandage or protector and prevent movement of the latter should the abdominal band Work up or down or around the body from movement of the infant.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a bandage or protector which will prevent the passage of moisture to a considerable extent and at the same time permit of proper ventilation.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View illustrating an abdominal band and an umbilical cord, bandage, or protector con structed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the bandage members. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bandage or protector, showing the various members of the bandage detached.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

5 designates a pad formed of an inner and an outer layer of cloth 6 and an intervening layer of waterproof material, such as rubberfaced cloth or oiled silk. The three layers are preferably united by stitching or otherwise, and through the center of the pad is formed an opening 8 of sufficient size to permit the passage of the umbilical cord, the stump of the cord being drawn through the opening while one of the soft layers of cloth is in contact with the body as a protection against the rubber or other waterproof material. This pad is entirely separate and distinct from the abdominal band and moves with the body, preventing excoriation and any injurious contact between the wall of the opening 8 and the stump.

In order to avoid the use of antiseptic cotton which is extremely difficult to remove and in many cases dangerous to employ, I cover the stump with a small piece of soft fabric 9, which may be saturated with a suitable antiseptic and which may be readily removed should it become necessary to examine the condition of the stump or to apply any medicament thereto. Over the cloth 9 is placed a small piece of waterproof material 10, formed of rubber-faced cloth or oiled silk, this outer layer of waterproof material serving to protect the inner portions of the bandage should the abdominal band become soiled. Both of the layers 9 andlO are formed with ventilatingopenings 11 immediately over the umbilicus, thus serving to permit the passage of air to prevent undue heating and assist in the healing at this point.

In order to hold the bandage or protector in position, I employ an abdominal band so made as to conform closely to the body and in which any tendency to independent movement is materially reduced. This band comprises a body portion 12, having shoulderstraps 13, which will prevent any downward movement of the bandage, while the lower portion is gathered or plaited, as indicated at 14:, in order to reduce the length of the band and enable it to fit closely to the lower part of'the abdomen, thus preventing any upward movement of the band. The opposite ends of the band are united at the back by safety pins or other securing devices, and the rear ends of the shoulder-straps are held in similar manner, as indicated in Fig. 1.

While the construction herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings is the preferred form of the device, it is obvious that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from ,the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a device of the class specified, a perforated pad formed of a number of layers, one of which is of waterproof material, said pad being unconfined and free to move with the body, a secondary layer of fabric, an outer protecting-sheet of waterproof material covering said layer, there being ventilating-openings in both the secondary layer and the protecting-sheet.

2. In a device of the class specified, a perforated pad formed of an inner and outer layer of soft fabric and an intermediate layer of waterproof material, a secondary sheet of fabric for the reception of an antiseptic, and an outer protecting-sheet of waterproof material, both the secondary layer and the outer sheet being perforated, substantially as specified.

3. In a device of the class specified, a perforated pad, a layer of cloth adapted to receive an antiseptic, an outer protecting-sheet of waterproof material, and an abdominal band entirely disconnected from the bandage, said band having its lower edge reduced in length, and its upper edge provided with shoulder-straps, and means for securing the band in position, substantially as specified.

Intestimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signaturein the presence of two witnesses.

CLARA JANE HIGGINS.

\Vitnesses:

FRANK E. OSBORN, DEE U. QSBORN. 

